LETTERS FROM THE ROAD: Michael Miller
Guest post this week from an astounding singer-songwriter who mysteriously remains relatively unknown (working on fixing that!), my friend Michael Miller.
Dear Hearts,
I have a friend who constantly asks me how to be happy. We talk about it all the time. Happiness.
I’ve told her, my secret is…. singing.
What makes someone happy? Why are some people happier than others? Some folks are completely miserable, despite their financial circumstances (rich or poor) or social standing (famous or homeless), while others are extra happy regardless of their life hardships or pain or suffering. I do believe that some people are just born lucky and predisposed to being happy, born with the “happy gene.” For others, no matter where circumstances or experiences take them in their lives, it seems to be a choice to be happy or not.
There are several secrets to happiness: living in a state of constant gratitude, faith, daily exercise, charity…. but a big one that I am certain has not been mentioned much, is singing.
Before I was born, my mother used to sing with her sisters professionally, touring and performing on tv and radio shows. Not surprisingly, there was always singing in the house and all around me… campfire choruses at 4H Summer Camp (led by my grandmother). A cappella hymns every Sunday morning at church. Bedtime lullabies. Back seat sing-alongs on long vacation road trips.
It was just natural and normal, like breathing or a second language, simply because my mother sang around the house all the time. While cleaning, doing chores, making dinner, working in the garden, walking us to school, ANYwhere and anytime… she would sing… if there was something on the radio or tv or any live performance, she would sing along, in harmony.
My aunt tells a story of when they were younger, growing up on their farm, a local neighbor farmhand would often visit and ask, bewildered, “What IS it with your family?? You are always so happy! There’s always singing going on. Singing!!”
I realize that I have done the same thing all through my life… I hear melodies in my head and just sing, regardless of where or what hour it is… or I’ll suddenly remember a favorite song and sing it out… I’ve sung through heartbreak pains, sung while traveling and getting lost (literally) in other countries. I’ll sing to ease boredom or to trigger the gushing buzz of a sweet memory… I’ll sing a prayer out loud… or a childhood TV theme song….
Perhaps this is not a huge revelation… it probably goes back to the beginning of time. Before language with words, there was humming and melody… the slaves in Egypt likely sang the blues to help pass the time…..
There are even studies about how singing makes you live longer.
I believe there is a spiritual soul revival that occurs or a magic eraser effect anytime you sing…… the more you sing, the happier you will be…. going through a firecrash breakup? Sing. Just lost your job? Sing. Walking down a dark, scary alley in the middle of the night? Sing.
Sing in the shower. Sing at the grocery store. Sing in your car. Sing in the elevator. It’s like free therapy or a free drug. It’s a light that pushes away the dark. Sing often and loud and proud. Just sing. It will make you happy.
M
Michael’s new record, I Made You Up (coming out this June and easily my favorite record of this year so far) can be heard here.
xo
Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, KATE BRADLEY, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, Michael Miller, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
4/6/09
Categories: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE • KATE BRADLEY • LETTERS FROM THE ROAD • OUTLANDOS MUSIC
3 Responses to “LETTERS FROM THE ROAD: Michael Miller”
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[...] Guest post this week from an astounding singer-songwriter who mysteriously remains relatively unknown (working on fixing that!), my friend Michael Miller. Dear Hearts, I have a friend who constantly asks me how to be happy [...] [...]
I, too, have sung to reinforce my mental well-being. It was as if every note I sang provided me with a non-prescription, vibrational medicine that helped to raise my spirits. My parents were (as were Michael’s) vocally gifted and surrounded me with a great environment of music. I’ve used every asset in my life to help me function through it. Singing helped me connect to myself and connect with the world around me. I encourage anyone who isn’t tone-deaf to let your voice roar and anyone who is tone-deaf – sing in the shower!
I agree that singing is uplifting. I think music presents so many mood setting opportunities. It’s a person’s choice to choose that soundtrack. Kind of ironic that some folks choose a melancholy song when they are depressed about a life situation rather than an uplifting one. With so much great music available to sing or listen to these days there is an uplifting song for everyone. My favorite song to belt out is “It’s Raining Men.” OK, not really, but I’ve been known to do it on occasion!